Cords/Strong @ Indiana Game

[mu1642]

I heard that Bill Cords and Dick Strong were at an Indiana game, can anyone confirm this?

[bma725]

I heard that Bill Cords and Dick Strong were at an Indiana game, can anyone confirm this?

Yep, you could see them on TV a few weeks ago right behind the IU bench.

[Big East Warriors]

Crean made an effort to not lose some of the ties he had when left. Some people may not like it, but it happens all the time

[4everwarriors]

Crean made an effort to not lose some of the ties he had when left. Some people may not like it, but it happens all the time

TC should lose those ties. They're too long and he looks ridiculous wearing them.

[ecompt]

You won't see Father Wild at any IU games; that I know for a fact.

[Big East Warriors]

ha, connections would have probably been the better word to use there 

[MUSF]

You won't see Father Wild at any IU games; that I know for a fact.

Yeah, a priest holding a grudge over a basketball team. Let's stand up and cheer.

Just because some people here think Crean is, in fact, Satan, I don't think we should turn the pitchforks and torches on Cords and Strong.  I also hope that an upstanding Jesuit like Fr. Wild has been able to forgive his old coach and move on.

[slingkong]

Pretty sure that's the point: that Fr. Wild has moved on.  No reason to keep supporting the guy now that he's gone.  Strong and Cords, well, they don't work for the school, so let's just hope they had a good time watching Crean's team suck.

[RedWebster]

If Crean is asking Dick Strong and Bill Cords to Indiana games...why is it that people thing that Marquette folks haven't moved on. It seems to me the opposite is true.

[ecompt]

Oh, please. Let's just say Fr. Wild was more than a little upset when he was told Crean was bolting. Not because Crean was Satan, but because of the kids. That's all he cared about.

[🏀]

Oh, please. Let's just say Fr. Wild was more than a little upset when he was told Crean was bolting. Not because Crean was Satan, but because of the kids. That's all he cared about.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

maybe TC can get cords an ass't ad job in charge of waving to the fans and walking the seasonticketholderofthegame out and giving them a plaque.

[The Lens]

maybe TC can get cords an ass't ad job in charge of waving to the fans and walking the seasonticketholderofthegame out and giving them a plaque.

Please Ziggy, that was a real job...the only reason they haven't replace JH yet is b/c no one is qualified enough...or Buzz's father-in-law said no.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Please Ziggy, that was a real job...the only reason they haven't replace JH yet is b/c no one is qualified enough...or Buzz's father-in-law said no.

true, it is hard to smile, wave with one hand, while pickpocketing with the other hand. 

[THEGYMBAR]

Exactly why I feel Strong has too much say at MU. If he wants to chum around with TC he should not be picking coaches here. His last selection hung us out to dry and he is sitting behind the bench? Give me a break!!!

[Silky]

maybe TC can get cords an ass't ad job in charge of waving to the fans and walking the seasonticketholderofthegame out and giving them a plaque.

Part of the job is also to host a bunch of old white alums over coffee and donuts telling stories about your family too.

[Big East Warriors]

Exactly why I feel Strong has too much say at MU. If he wants to chum around with TC he should not be picking coaches here. His last selection hung us out to dry and he is sitting behind the bench? Give me a break!!!

Strong has done alot more than just bring in Crean (not saying he even did or didnt) and when they picked Buzz, the University just didnt wait around for Strong to pick someone's name out of a hat. Lets stop and be realistic for a second. Sure Strong had a voice in it, but a lot of other folks did too. I think its time to move on, let them do what they want. If Strong wants to watch Crean's team play, let him. I'm sure that wont affect how he feels about Marquette. When Crean left, he didnt take what Marquette means to so many of us. He's just a coach.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Exactly why I feel Strong has too much say at MU. If he wants to chum around with TC he should not be picking coaches here. His last selection hung us out to dry and he is sitting behind the bench? Give me a break!!!

His last selection also delivered a Final Four for the first time in three decades.


Strong & Cords are friends with Crean.  Friendships are strong bonds and no one should be asked to give those up just because the guy left for another school. 

Crean hardly left MU high and dry.  That is an opinion not based on facts.  You're entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts. The program is a LOT LOT LOT better then when he started.  It's not even comparable.  High and dry is when you leave a program on NCAA probation, or leave a program with absolutely no talent, or leave a program in the middle of the season.   

Yes, he left and that sucks.  Was he a dink?  Yes.  Was he a jerk?  Yes.  Could he not recruit big men? Yes.  Yes, Yes, yes.  All givens.  But high and dry?  Not even close.  Graduation rates through the roof, no NCAA violations, a new facility, top conference in the country, attendance at an all time high, three straight NCAAs and poised for a fourth.   I'm sorry, but that's not leaving the program high and dry under any interpretation. 

Buzz was handed a great situation and he's already landed a great recruiting class because of that situation.  He has a lot to sell kids because this program wasn't left high and dry, but rather prospering.


The landscape is littered with programs that were truly left high and dry by the previous coach and Marquette is not one of them under any definition.

[THEGYMBAR]

Chico's---High and dry was meant regarding us being ill prepared to conduct a professional coaching search. MU was caught in the headlights and shame on us, not TC. But, with that said, I think Strong should make better decisions. Throwing money at coaches might be a hobby for him. Currently MU needs a driving force to be sugar daddy, not a control freak.

I stated all last spring how important MU ball is for the school. I stated the economics of private education was about change. Well, it sure changed on 9/15 when the US economy hit the skids. The school cannot afford not be a success on the court. MU ball has to pay a lot of bills and now more than ever.

MU is in far better shape than when TC arrived. But, I am not going to be convinced that we did a professional job of hiring Buzz. The jury on this hire is 2-3 years out. Problem I have is that in 2-3 years a decade of hard work can be lost.

I said a few dozen times in the spring that moving forward after this year is what counts. Buzz was given a good program, no doubt about that. What he does next year and the year after is what counts.

Again, I think TC hung MU out to dry with the timing and silence of his departure. It reminded me of when Rick up and left in the summer and we git Dukiet by default. While I want to believe in Santa Claus, I cannot say Buzz was the right hire. MU rolled the dice because TC forced their hand somewhat.

I could care less about Cords. Strong is a big part of the program. I think that chumming around with TC shows one of two things:
1. Poor judgement in picking friends
2. Jocksniff more interested in being a control freak than winning.

Both suck in my mind.

[Big East Warriors]

I stated all last spring how important MU ball is for the school. I stated the economics of private education was about change. Well, it sure changed on 9/15 when the US economy hit the skids. The school cannot afford not be a success on the court. MU ball has to pay a lot of bills and now more than ever.

Gym- You are entitled to your opinion about Strong and how you think the coaching hiring happened. Just one quick thing. Yes, basketball does bring in a lot of revenue for the university...alot. But, i think you are over estimating how MU pays its bills and how much basketball is actually involved in that equation. MU has done quite well overall in the face of the recession compared to most schools, which includes much bigger schools with much bigger endowments. I can assure you that the economy will get better before the possibility of MU bball falling apart.

[THEGYMBAR]

MU-OOA----No doubt MU does very well in the endowment area and most areas. MU ball is not going to fall apart and neither will MU. But, if you think the ball team does not hold up the lion share of the athletic department you are mistaken. In addition, private schools are going to struggle with the cost of tuition. MU has had record # of applications post Dwade and because of DWade. Similar happened in the 70's under Al.

Do not kid yourself that MU or any other instituition is going to avoid the economic downturn. Plenty of parents paying full boat or more than 75% of the downstroke have seen their wealth cut a great deal in 80 days. As a parent you make different decisions when wealth is suddenly diminished.

Private high schools are already seeing students leave mid semester to local public schools. This is a major turn of events for private education. The sky is not falling but money and students will be tougher to get next September than this past one.

[Nukem2]

His last selection also delivered a Final Four for the first time in three decades.


Strong & Cords are friends with Crean.  Friendships are strong bonds and no one should be asked to give those up just because the guy left for another school. 

Crean hardly left MU high and dry.  That is an opinion not based on facts.  You're entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts. The program is a LOT LOT LOT better then when he started.  It's not even comparable.  High and dry is when you leave a program on NCAA probation, or leave a program with absolutely no talent, or leave a program in the middle of the season.   

Yes, he left and that sucks.  Was he a dink?  Yes.  Was he a jerk?  Yes.  Could he not recruit big men? Yes.  Yes, Yes, yes.  All givens.  But high and dry?  Not even close.  Graduation rates through the roof, no NCAA violations, a new facility, top conference in the country, attendance at an all time high, three straight NCAAs and poised for a fourth.   I'm sorry, but that's not leaving the program high and dry under any interpretation. 

Buzz was handed a great situation and he's already landed a great recruiting class because of that situation.  He has a lot to sell kids because this program wasn't left high and dry, but rather prospering.


The landscape is littered with programs that were truly left high and dry by the previous coach and Marquette is not one of them under any definition.

Totally agree, Chicos.  About the only thing we should be upset with is how it went down on april fools day particularly as to the players and Fr. Wild.  Otherwise, he did a tremendous job at MU. May have been a self-serving individual who irritated some folks; but, thats true of many coaches and people in highly visible jobs.  In the end, lets thank TC for what he did and move on.

[The Lens]

Gymbar, TC handled his leaving like a jerk with no backbone but he quit in April...in the beginning of Coaching Carosel Month. 

IMO, he should have told Fr Wild & the team before Mike McCarthy & Tom Izzo and his sports-radio-loving brother-in-law but even if he did the honorable thing, how would MU have been any better positioned to hire a coach?

[THEGYMBAR]

Damon---By having a qualified search committee in place, a short list and long list and AD with experience. Hiring Buzz was never my issue, the way he was hired was my issue and that feeling remains. It lacked professionalism. MU is better than that and smarter then to get caught with their johnson in their hand.

99% of great leaders know a key employee is leaving before he leaves. That is why they are great leaders. Cottingham found out by watching ESPN.

[jmayer1]

Damon---By having a qualified search committee in place, a short list and long list and AD with experience. Hiring Buzz was never my issue, the way he was hired was my issue and that feeling remains. It lacked professionalism. MU is better than that and smarter then to get caught with their johnson in their hand.

99% of great leaders know a key employee is leaving before he leaves. That is why they are great leaders. Cottingham found out by watching ESPN.

And how would MU have been better off to find a new coach if Crean had told them the day before he left?  There would not be time for MU to do anything you suggested.  MU may or may not have handled the coaching search/hire the right way but frankly it had nothing to do with the manner TC left.